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18.10.2009

Tweddle wins Gold at Artistic World Championships

A superb week of gymnastics at the magnificent O2 Arena in London was capped off in style today with a gold medal at the Artistic World Championships for England's Beth Tweddle.

The 24-year-old from Liverpool bounced back from her failure to reach the final in her strongest event on the uneven bars with a superb display in the floor exercise to win her second world title.

After suffering a fall in qualifying on the uneven bars, which she won in 2006, Tweddle performed a near-faultless routine to triumph on the floor at the O2 Arena.

Tweddle said: "Winning the bars in 2006 was pretty good, but with it being on home ground and not on my signature piece, I think this probably is the top [achievement].

My mum, my dad, my house-mate, my gym friends, everyone is here, so at least afterwards I'll be able to celebrate with them."

The European champion was the first gymnast to take to the floor and showed no nerves as she posted a score of 14.650 in front of a packed house.

Her routine was the hardest in the competition and she watched on as her rivals were unable to surpass her tally.

There was a long delay following an injury to Colombian Jessica Gil Ortiz, who left the arena on a stretcher after landing on her neck, but Australian Lauren Mitchell stayed focused to score 14.550 and claim her second silver of the day after coming second on the beam.

China's Sui Lu secured bronze with a score of 14.300.

Tweddle, who had almost fallen in Wednesday's qualification, was unsure if she had done enough to secure gold.

She said: "I was a bit disappointed with the actual score.

"That's why I was more nervous waiting.

"Normally you know what is a good score and what is not, but in this championships everything has been a bit different.

"Everyone expects me to medal on bars.

"To come out with a world title on floor, it shows that I'm not just a one-piece gymnast."

Tweddle's victory overshadowed another outstanding performance from China, who bagged three more gold medals.

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